Del Pilar, Amiel David R.

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EDSA I
EDSA I is one of the events that instilled in the minds of many Filipinos especially
to the mind of those who are present to that Bloodless Revolution in the History
of the Philipines. EDSA I ignited because the Filipinos wanted reform from the
Iron Fist of the Marcos Regime. Even though Martial Law is one the Darkest
Eras in the Philippine History, yet, the EDSA I became a light that put an end to
those Darkest Moments. During those times, many Human Rights were
deprived.

How did everything started? Many people suffered the deprivation of Human
Rights during the Martial Law under Marcos Regime. According to a book entitled
TORTYUR: Human Rights Violation During The Marcos Regime by Michael
Charleston Briones-Chua, or popularly known as Xiao Chua, Associate
Professor of History in De La Salle University. According to his book, It
[Martial Law] was actually the darkest period in recent history. Many people
suffered torture, summary execution, disappearance, and warrantless arrest.
Imelda Marcos describes her husbands regime, It was a compassionate society,
it was a benevolent leadership. (Tiongson 1997) She also said, Martial Law is

the most peaceful democratic time in Philippine History. (Malanes 1999, 16)
(Chua, TORTYUR: Human Rights Violation During The Marcos Regime). Others
might say it is, but how would you explain such figures? In addition to this, the
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines gives numbers to more specific
incidences. In their record, from 1965-1986, the numbers were as follows: 2,668
incidents of arrests; 306 total number of arrested individuals; 398
disappearances; 1,338 salvaging; 128 frustrated salvaging; 1,499 killed or
wounded in massacres (Magsaysay 1999); But Amnesty International, 1977
Nobel Peace Prize recipient and respected activist organization on global human
rights, gives a not so conservative estimates in the whole Martial Law years:
70,000 were imprisoned, 34,000 were tortured, 3,240 were killed (Tiongson
1997). The Martial Law lasted for 14 years with such figures. Even though we
see some positive sides of the Martial Law, yet still, we cant deny the things
happened. We are all blinded of the truth by means of media blackout. Everyone
wanted reform, change. Marcos held a Snap Election. Snap Election is the
election between Marcos and Aquino. Two Canvassers canvassed the results.
ComElec announced Marcos won against Aquino with 53% ahead of votes.
While NaMFrEl announced that Aquino win over Marcos with 52% ahead of
votes. That gross manipulation sparked the start of the People Power Revolution
or simply EDSA I. in EDSA I, Civilians, together with Political Groups, Military
Defectors, Militant and Religious Groups marched to the EDSA Shrine on
February 23, 1986. Many things happened on a 3-day People Power Revolution.

To sum everything up, People Power Revolution played an important part to our
history, especially to our democracy. The day that change the course of
everything. The day the put an end to the Darkest Period of our history,
especially our lives. The end of the Marcos Regime.